Information regarding the California Teachers of the Year (CA TOY) Awardees for 2017.
The California Teachers of the Year for 2017 were honored at the California Teachers of the Year Gala held in Sacramento, California on Monday, February 13, 2017.
2017 California Teachers of the Year
From left to right: Isela Lieber, Yun (Jenny) Chien, Shaun S. Bunn, Corrine (Corrie) Traynor, and Megan Gross.
Shaun S. Bunn
Grades 7–8, Mathematics
Ethan A. Chase Middle School, Menifee
Romoland School District, Riverside County
“Sometimes, the best lesson that kids learn from us is not subject matter, but something much deeper, more profound—kindness and caring. These life lessons can only be genuinely taught from unpredictable moments. Unpredictable moments can also turn challenges into teachable opportunities.” — Shaun Bunn
Bunn has been teaching for 11 years, ten in his current position at Ethan A. Chase Middle School. Described by a colleague as the “Jaime Escalante” of Chase Middle School, he makes personal connections with his students and is caring, inspirational, and willing to go above and beyond. He shares about his personal struggles to be successful and how perseverance diminished those struggles, saying he wants his students to see him as human.
Originally from Cambodia, he lived in poverty and saw his parents make huge sacrifices for the family. As an English learner, Bunn has firsthand knowledge of the challenges his students face and tries to help them overcome these issues. Every year, he visits Cambodia and takes kids off the street to feed them.
Julie A. Vitale, Superintendent of Romoland School District, said of Bunn, “He is the type of person that gives tirelessly and never expects anything in return. He is honest, kind, easy to work with, and friendly. He has the desire to have a meaningful impact in the lives of students.”
Shaun S. Bunn may be reached at Ethan A. Chase Middle School at 951-566-4400 or sbunn@romoland.net.
Yun (Jenny) Tzu Anderson
Grades K–5, Technology, Engineering, Science, and Mathematics
Casita Center for Technology, Science, and Math, Vista
Vista Unified School District, San Diego County
“The value of education rests on how educators shape the young minds of tomorrow. By focusing on their strengths, interests, and values through a personalized approach, students feel empowered to take action to make an impact in the world.” — Yun (Jenny) Tzu Anderson
Anderson has been teaching for nine years, the last two as a science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) teacher at Casita Center for Technology, Science, and Math. A self-described learning experience designer, Anderson pulls resources from various avenues to remix and refine lessons to create personalized and relevant experiences that focus on each student’s interests.
She teaches a fourth grade journalism class, where students produce a morning newscast and also runs a flexible learning space entitled the Design, Research, Engineering, Arts, Mathematics, and Science (DREAMS) lab where students learn the language of coding and engage in design challenges aligned to the Next Generation Science Standards (NGSS) and Common Core State Standards (CCSS) in English Language Arts (ELA) and math. The DREAMS lab allows students the opportunity to explore how things work from trial and error.
Laura Smith, Principal of Casita Center for Technology, Science, and Math, said, “Jenny Anderson is a lead learner. Observing her deliver professional development on Next Generation Science Standards to teachers is magical. Educators from all over San Diego County are modeling their STEM labs after the DREAMS lab. Jenny is inspired by the future and what could be.”
Yun (Jenny) Tzu Anderson may be reached through Casita Center for Technology, Science, and Math at 760-724-9442 or yunanderson@vistausd.org.
Megan Gross
National Teacher of the Year Finalist
Grades 9–12, Special Education
Del Norte High School, San Diego
Poway Unified School District, San Diego County
“Teaching is life-fulfilling work. I love the challenge of identifying the best instructional and support strategies for my new students each fall and delight in the rewards of each student’s “a-ha” moment that ultimately leads to growth and continued success.” — Megan Gross
Gross has been a special education teacher for nine years, the last three teaching an autism spectrum disorder special day class at Del Norte High School, where she leads a team of instructional assistants who collaborate to design and support unique learning opportunities and experiences for their students.
Her classroom is a place where students feel welcome and can access the resources needed to thrive academically and socially in general education settings. It serves as a home base for her students, providing security and comfort when needed, but also confidence for each student to grow with the rest of their classmates and participate in school-wide activities.
Under her leadership, her students launched a school-wide campaign, “Socktober,” to collect socks and blankets to benefit homeless families in their school district as well as created Valentines for senior citizens who lived in a nearby assisted-living facility.
Greg Mizel, Principal, Del Norte High School, said, “Mrs. Gross has worked diligently to create a positive, inclusive, and productive learning environment for her students. Relational, reflective, humorous, generous with her time, and committed to helping each and every one of her students thrive and succeed, we feel blessed to have her on staff.”
Megan Gross may be reached through Del Norte High School at 858-487-0877 or mgross@powayusd.com.
Isela Lieber
Grades 9–10, English, English as a Second Language (ESL), and ESL Science
James Monroe High School, North Hills
Los Angeles Unified School District, Los Angeles County
“Teaching is an act of social justice. To be a teacher is to be an agent for change. It is a dynamic profession that promotes lifelong learning, as well as ongoing challenges to analyze student data to drive our instruction and rethink our approaches to pedagogy so that all learners’ needs are met.” — Isela Lieber
Lieber has been teaching for ten years, the last four at James Monroe High School as an English, English as a Second Language (ESL), and ESL science teacher. As an immigrant who came to the U.S. with a seventh grade education and very little knowledge of the English language, she strongly identifies with her students, leading by example and sharing her personal story.
Lieber sponsors SUCCEED, a student club that provides information and support to first-generation high school graduates, all English learners, most economically disadvantaged, and helps them become future first-generation college students. Under her leadership, SUCCEED provides after school workshops on applying for financial aid as well as community workshops for parents on the importance and process of college.
Chris Rosas, Principal, James Monroe High School, said of Lieber, “Her example to our students is living proof of a strong commitment to student achievement. As an immigrant herself, English learner, and first-generation college student, she makes a daily commitment to serve by leading by example. She models effective teaching strategies and holds all staff and students to high standards with their classroom practices.”
Isela Lieber may be reached through James Monroe High School at 818-830-4200 or isela.jacome@lausd.net.
Corinne (Corrie) Traynor
Grade 5, Multiple Subjects
Barrett Ranch Elementary School, Antelope
Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District, Placer County
“So why did I become a teacher? It is simple: I never want one of my students to feel that they cannot be whatever they want to be. I have dedicated my life to children of poor circumstance where I can guide them to a full understanding that we all can be successful in life with handiwork, determination, and perseverance.” — Corinne (Corrie) Traynor
Traynor has been teaching for 22 years, 15 in her current position at Barrett Ranch Elementary School. She has used her struggles with dyslexia and a severe reading disability as a child to drive her to become the best teacher she could be.
As an advocate for children, she teaches other educators not to lower their expectations for at-risk students. “My message has always been that it is not about us, it is about the kids in our classroom seats,” she said.
Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District Assistant Superintendent Jim Ferguson said of Traynor: “She excels beyond imagination in the classroom and is a key contributor to her site and district. She is a prime example of how a teacher leader can have a profound effect on an entire organization. If I were to go back to a principalship and have to start building a staff, the first teacher I would want on my staff would be Corrie Traynor.”
Corinne (Corrie) Traynor may be reached at Barrett Ranch Elementary at 916-770-8839 or ctraynor@dcjesd.us.